FordFocus2008Overview/ford/focus/2008/base/

2008 Ford Focus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Focus.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Ford Focus is classified as a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA fuel economy ratings of 24/33/28 mpg while maintaining an engine oil capacity of 4.5 quarts of 5W-20 API. Within the model's 1999-2018 complaint history, which ranges from a low of 11 reports in 1999 to a peak of 3881 in 2000, this specific year recorded 250 total owner complaints. Three recalls were issued for the vehicle with the electrical system identified as the top complaint area, defining the primary maintenance focus for this model year. This data positions the 2008 Focus as a later-production example with a comparatively stable reliability record relative to the early 2000s, though electrical system scrutiny remains warranted for researchers.

Model year201820172016201520142013201220112008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/33/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.2 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight2586 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 33 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Focus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.0–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.00 sec — 2008 SES Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.40 sec140 hpFWD
2008SE Sedan 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
2008SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.30 sec140 hpFWD
2008SES Sedan 2.0L I-410.10 sec17.50 sec140 hpFWD
2009SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec140 hpFWD
2009SES Coupe 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec140 hpFWD
2009SES Sedan 2.0L I-410.20 sec17.60 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.9
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10-12 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
RPM55 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 DOHC ohms
Engine Oil Pressure29-39 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.008-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle92 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.0905 in
Drum Maximum Machining8.031 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts to finger tight. Step 25 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
211.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
333.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 83 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 604 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Ford Focus registers 250 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 investigation, and 19 TSBs in the federal record, placing it in the comparatively quiet second-generation stretch of 2005-2011. Versus adjacent model years, it shows a meaningful drop from 2007's 391 complaints but carries the highest recall count of that 2005-2011 window, edging above 2007's 2 and 2009's 1. It also sits well below the early first-generation spike (3,881 complaints in 2000, 1,815 in 2001) and far below the third-generation surge beginning in 2012 (3,789 complaints, 11 recalls), suggesting 2008 benefits from mid-life refinement rather than early-build or launch-year volatility. Within the target year, complaint volume concentrates in the Electrical System (36), Structure (24), Air Bags (21), and Power Train (15) — and with 21 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints logged, the safety-incident footprint is present but not dominated by thermal failure. The data does not specify the root causes of the air bag or electrical complaints, so the underlying defects cannot be confirmed from this record alone. Concrete takeaway: 2008 is a defensible used-buy candidate, but a pre-purchase inspection should verify the 3 recalls were performed and that the electrical and airbag systems function as intended.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
19
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
250
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 250 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System36
Structure24
Air Bags21
Power Train15
Latches/Locks/Linkages14
Unknown Or Other13
Tires12
Service Brakes10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

07V541000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 21/11/2007

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ASSEMBLED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE YOUR DRIVER AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 19 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 470092018-01-10EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are…
SSM 463322017-01-24EquipmentREPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Focus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Focus take?

4.5 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Focus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Focus get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.